Cell having stacked pick-up region

ABSTRACT

A method of forming a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first well of a first-type in a substrate of a second-type, forming a first active zone of the first-type in a second well of the second-type on the substrate, and forming a second active zone of the second-type in the first-type well. The method also includes forming a first pick-up region of the first-type located in the first well, and forming a second pick-up region of the second-type located in the second well. Each of the first active zone and the second active zone extends in a first direction. The first pick-up region and the second pick-up region are separated from each other, by the first active zone and the second active zone, along a direction that is different from the first direction.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/660,363, filed Oct. 22, 2019, which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/749,578, filed Oct. 23, 2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Some integrated circuits (ICs) are designed using, and manufactured based on, various cells including digital cells and analog cells. As the transistors in integrated circuits become smaller in physical size and more densely placed, more design consideration needs to be placed upon latchup. Latchup causes undesirable short circuits. Some integrated circuits (ICs) use tap cells to couple n-type wells to a first supply voltage VDD and to couple p-type wells or p-type substrates to a second supply voltage VSS. Tap cells having same height as standard cells between the power rails occupy valuable area in layout designs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a cell having stacked pick-up regions, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the cell along a cut-off plan S-S′ in FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cell having stacked pick-up regions and fin transistors, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a cell having one stacked pick-up region in the n-type well, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the cell along a cut-off plan S-S′ in FIG. 3A, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of a cell having one stacked pick-up region in the p-type well, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the cell along a cut-off plan S-S′ in FIG. 4A, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a cell having guard-rings as pick-up regions, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a cell having stacked pick-up regions separating two parallel active zones, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electronic design automation (EDA) system in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing system, and an IC manufacturing flow associated therewith, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components, materials, values, steps, operations, materials, arrangements, or the like, are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Other components, values, operations, materials, arrangements, or the like, are contemplated. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

In some layouts of integrated circuits, cells with similar height are positioned between two vertically separated power rails. Cell height is measured in a Y-direction in a plan view of a layout. One of the power rails provides the first supply voltage VDD to the cells and another one of the power rails provides the second supply voltage VSS to the cells, in some embodiments. Additionally, tap cells horizontally adjoining standard cells are positioned at the sides of the standard digital cells, which are between the two vertically separated power rails, to couple the n-type wells in the standard digital cells to the first supply voltage VDD and to couple the p-type wells in the standard digital cells to the second supply voltage VSS. In some integrated circuits, however, the layouts also include cells with variable heights that are multiples of a minimum cell height. For example, some cells with analog circuits have heights that are two times the minimum cell height, and some analog cells have heights that are three times the minimum cell height. In some cells which have cell heights larger than the minimum cell height, there are wasted areas and increased metal connections that increase RC delays. In some layout designs, it is advantageous to position one or more pick-up regions directly in a cell which has a height higher than the minimum cell height. A pick-up region is a region that conductively connects a particular dopant type well in the cell to a voltage source. In some embodiments, an n-type pick-up region is used to conductively connect the n-type well in the cell to the first supply voltage VDD, and a p-type pick-up region is used to conductively connect the p-type well in the cell to the second supply voltage VSS. The n-type dopant concentration of the pick-up region for the n-type well is higher than the n-type dopant concentration of the n-type well. The p-type dopant concentration of the pick-up region for the p-type well is higher than the p-type dopant concentration of the p-type well. In some embodiments, pick-up regions are implemented in a cell to prevent undesirable short circuits caused by latchup.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a cell 100 having stacked pick-up regions, in accordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 1A, the cell 100 is between two parallel power rails (e.g., 132 and 134) extending in the X-direction and bounded by two parallel cell boundaries (e.g., 192 and 194) extending in the Y-direction that is perpendicular to the X-direction. The power rail 132 is configured to have a first supply voltage VDD, and the power rail 134 is configured to have a second supply voltage VSS. In some embodiments, the first supply voltage VDD on the power rail 132 is higher than the second supply voltage VSS on the power rail 134. The cell 100 includes a p-type active zone 150 p and an n-type active zone 150 n extending in the X-direction. The p-type active zone 150 p is in an n-type well 158 n (best seen in FIG. 1B), and the n-type active zone 150 n is in a p-type well 158 p (best seen in FIG. 1B). The n-type well 158 n and the p-type well 158 p are separated by a well boundary 159. The n-type well 158 n occupies the entirety of the area bounded by the cell boundary 192, the well boundary 159, the cell boundaries 194, and the power rail 132. The p-type well 158 p occupies the entirety of the area bounded by the cell boundary 192, the well boundary 159, the cell boundaries 194, and the power rail 134. In some embodiments, one or both of the wells (i.e., the n-type well 158 n and/or the p-type well 158) cross over at least one of the cell boundaries (e.g., 192 or 194) and occupy an area that extends from one side of a cell boundary to another side of the cell boundary. In some embodiments, the n-type well 158 n extends from one side of the power rail 132 to another side of the power rail 132. In some embodiments, the p-type well 158 p extends from one side of the power rail 134 to another side of the power rail 134.

The cell 100 includes an n-type pick-up region 155 n in the n-type well 158 n and a p-type pick-up region 155 p in the p-type well 158 p. The n-type pick-up region 155 n and the p-type pick-up region 155 p are separated from each other in the Y-direction. The n-type pick-up region 155 n is configured to couple the n-type well 158 n to the first supply voltage VDD. The p-type pick-up region 155 p is configured to couple the p-type well 158 p to the second supply voltage VSS. In some embodiments, the n-type pick-up region and/or the p-type pick-up region are in geometric shapes that extend in the X-direction. For example, in some embodiments, each of the n-type pick-up region and the p-type pick-up region has a width extending in the X-direction and has a height extending in the Y-direction, in a geometric configuration that the height is less than 25% of the width.

In some embodiments, the cell 100 includes one or more conductive segments (e.g., 182 n, 184 n, and 186 n) extending in the Y-direction and over the n-type pick-up region 155 n. The cell 100 includes one or more conductive segments (e.g., 182 p, 184 p, and 186 p) extending in the Y-direction and over the p-type pick-up region 155 p. In some embodiments, the conductive segments (e.g., 182 n, 184 n, and 186 n) over the n-type pick-up region 155 n conductively connect the n-type pick-up region 155 n to the power rail 132, and the conductive segments (e.g., 182 p, 184 p, and 186 p) over the p-type pick-up region 155 p conductively connect the p-type pick-up region 155 p to the power rail 134.

In some embodiments, each of the conductive segments (e.g., 182 n, 184 n, and 186 n) over the n-type pick-up region 155 n forms a conductive contact with the n-type pick-up region 155 n, and each of the conductive segments (e.g., 182 p, 184 p, and 186 p) over the p-type pick-up region 155 p forms a conductive contact with the p-type pick-up region 155 p. In some embodiments, each of the conductive segments (e.g., 182 n, 184 n, and 186 n) over the n-type pick-up region 155 n is conductively connected to the power rail 132 through one or more via connections VIA1, and each of the conductive segments (e.g., 182 p, 184 p, and 186 p) over the p-type pick-up region 155 p is conductively connected to the power rail 134 through one or more via connections VIA2.

In some embodiments, the cell 100 includes gate-strips (e.g., 171 n, 173 n, 175 n, and 177 n) extending in the Y-direction and intersecting the n-type pick-up region 155 n. In some embodiments, the cell 100 includes gate-strips (e.g., 171 p, 173 p, 175 p, and 177 p) extending in the Y-direction and intersecting the p-type pick-up region 155 p. In some embodiments, one or more of the gate-strips over the n-type pick-up region 155 n or over the p-type pick-up region 155 p are dummy gates. In some embodiments, one or more of the gate-strips over the n-type pick-up region 155 n are active gates of transistors, and in some embodiments, one or more of the gate-strips over the p-type pick-up region 155 p are active gates of transistors. In FIG. 1A, the gate-strips (e.g., 171 n, 173 n, 175 n, and 177 n) intersecting the n-type pick-up region 155 n are floating without connecting to a power rail (e.g., 132); the gate-strips (e.g., 171 p, 173 p, 175 p, and 177 p) intersecting the p-type pick-up region 155 p are floating without connecting to a power rail (e.g., 134). In some alternative embodiments, one or more of the gate-strips (e.g., 171 n, 173 n, 175 n, and 177 n) intersecting the n-type pick-up region 155 n are conductively connected to the power rail 132. In some embodiments, one or more of the gate-strips (e.g., 171 p, 173 p, 175 p, and 177 p) intersecting the p-type pick-up region 155 p are conductively connected to the power rail 134.

In FIG. 1A, the cell 100 includes a circuit 190 having transistors in the p-type active zone 150 p and transistors in the n-type active zone 150 n. In some embodiments, the cell 100 is an analog cell constructed based on the circuit 290. The analog cell includes at least one output signal having an analog value that is a continuous function of an analog value of an input signal of the analog cell. In contrast, the value of each output signal of a digital cell generally is a discrete function of the digital values of one or more digitized input signals. The transistors in the p-type active zone 150 p have channel regions formed under the gate-strips (e.g., 141 p, 143 p, 145 p, and 147 p) intersecting the p-type active zone 150 p, and in some embodiments, the gate-strips 141 p and 14′7 p are dummy gates. The transistors in the n-type active zone 150 n have channel regions formed under the gate-strips (e.g., 141 n, 143 n, 145 n, and 147 n) intersecting the n-type active zone 150 n, and in some embodiments, the gate-strips 141 n and 147 n are dummy gates. Each of the transistors in the p-type active zone 150 p has a source or a drain conductively connected to one of the conductive segments (e.g., 162 p, 164 p, and 166 p) intersecting the p-type active zone 150 p, and each of the transistors in the n-type active zone 150 n has a source or a drain conductively connected to one of the conductive segments (e.g., 162 n, 164 n, and 166 n) intersecting the n-type active zone 150 n. In the circuit 190, the transistors in the p-type active zone 150 p and the transistors in the n-type active zone 150 n are connected to various electronic components by conductive connections in one or more routing metal layers. In some embodiments, the one or more routing metal layers are above the interlayer dielectric layer that covers the gate-strips and the conductive segments intersecting the p-type active zone 150 p or the n-type active zone 150 n.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the cell 100 along a cut-off plan S-S′ in FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 1B, the n-type well 158 n is implemented in a p-type substrate 20, the p-type well 158 p is provided by a portion of the p-type substrate 20. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1B, the p-type active zone 150 p and the n-type active zone 150 n, in regions near the cut-off plan S-S′, are correspondingly provided by p+ diffusion and n+ diffusion. In some embodiments, the n-type pick-up region 155 n for an upper power pick-up and the p-type pick-up region 155 p for a lower power pick-up, in regions near the cut-off plan S-S′, are correspondingly provided by n+ diffusion and p+ diffusion. The n-type carrier density in the n-type pick-up region 155 n is higher than the n-type carrier density in the n-type well 158 n, and a p-type carrier density in the p-type pick-up region 155 p is higher than the p-type carrier density in the p-type well 158 p. The well boundary 159 as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B separates the n-type well 158 n from the p-type well 158 p.

In FIG. 1B, the conductive segments 166 p and 166 n are correspondingly over the p-type active zone 150 p and the n-type active zone 150 n; the conductive segments 186 n and 186 p are correspondingly over the n-type pick-up region 155 n and the p-type pick-up region 155 p. The n-type pick-up region 155 n is conductively connected to the power rail 132 through a via connection VIA1, and the p-type pick-up region 155 p is conductively connected to the power rail 134 through a via connection VIA2. In operation, when the power rail 132 is held at the first supply voltage VDD and the power rail 134 is held at the second supply voltage VSS, the n-type pick-up region 155 n and the p-type pick-up region 155 p are correspondingly held at the first supply voltage VDD and the second supply voltage VSS. Consequently, the n-type well 158 n surrounding the p-type active zone 150 p is maintained at the first supply voltage VDD, and the p-type well 158 p surrounding the n-type active zone 150 n is maintained at the second supply voltage VSS. During normal operation, because the voltage in the p-type active zone 150 p is lower than the first supply voltage VDD at the n-type well 158 n, leakage currents will not be caused by forward-biased pn junctions between the p-type active zone 150 p and the n-type well 158 n, and latch-up involving the p-type active zone 150 p is prevented. During normal operation, because the voltage in the n-type active zone 150 n is higher than the second supply voltage VSS at the p-type well 158 p, leakage currents will not be caused by forward-biased pn junctions between the n-type active zone 150 n and the p-type well 158 p, and latch-up involving the n-type active zone 150 n is prevented.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cell 200 having stacked pick-up regions and fin transistors, in accordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 2, the cell 200 is between two parallel power rails (e.g., 232 and 234) extending in the X-direction and bounded by two parallel cell boundaries (e.g., 292 and 294) extending in the Y-direction. The power rail 232 is configured to have a first supply voltage VDD, and the power rail 234 is configured to have a second supply voltage VSS. The first supply voltage VDD on the power rail 232 is higher than the second supply voltage VSS on the power rail 234. The cell 200 includes a p-type active zone 250 p and an n-type active zone 250 n extending in the X-direction. The p-type active zone 250 p is in an n-type well 258 n, and the n-type active zone 250 n is in a p-type well 258 p. The n-type well 258 n and the p-type well 258 p are separated by a well boundary 259. The n-type well 258 n occupies at least the area bounded by the cell boundary 292, the well boundary 259, the cell boundaries 294, and the power rail 232. The p-type well 258 p occupies at least the area bounded by the cell boundary 292, the well boundary 259, the cell boundaries 294, and the power rail 234.

The cell 200 includes an n-type pick-up region 255 n in the n-type well 258 n and a p-type pick-up region 255 p in the p-type well 258 p. The n-type pick-up region 255 n is configured to couple the n-type well 258 n to the first supply voltage VDD. The p-type pick-up region 255 p is configured to couple the p-type well 258 p to the second supply voltage VSS.

In FIG. 2, the cell 200 includes one or more conductive segments (e.g., 282 n, 284 n, and 286 n) over the n-type pick-up region 255 n, and in some embodiments, the cell 200 includes one or more conductive segments (e.g., 282 p, 284 p, and 286 p) over the p-type pick-up region 255 p. In some embodiments, one or more n-type fin structures 256 n are formed in the n-type pick-up region 255 n, and in some embodiments, one or more p-type fin structures 256 p are formed in the p-type pick-up region 255 p. In some embodiments, one or more conductive segments (e.g., 282 n, 284 n, and 286 n) over the n-type pick-up region 255 n are conductively connected to the n-type pick-up region 255 n through the one or more n-type fin structures 256 n, and in some embodiments, one or more conductive segments (e.g., 282 p, 284 p, and 286 p) over the p-type pick-up region 255 p are conductively connected to the p-type pick-up region 255 p through the one or more p-type fin structures 256 p. In some embodiments, one or more conductive segments (e.g., 282 n, 284 n, and 286 n) over the n-type pick-up region 255 n are conductively connected to the power rail 232 through one or more via connections VIA1, and in some embodiments, and one or more conductive segments (e.g., 282 p, 284 p, and 286 p) over the p-type pick-up region 255 p are conductively connected to the power rail 234 through one or more via connections VIA2.

In some embodiments, the cell 200 includes gate-strips (e.g., 271 n, 273 n, 275 n, and 277 n) extending in the Y-direction and intersecting the n-type pick-up region 255 n. In some embodiments, the cell 200 includes gate-strips (e.g., 271 p, 2′73 p, 275 p, and 277 p) extending in the Y-direction and intersecting the p-type pick-up region 255 p. In some embodiments, one or more of the gate-strips over the n-type pick-up region 255 n or over the p-type pick-up region 255 p are dummy gates. In some embodiments, one or more of the gate-strips over the n-type pick-up region 255 n are active gates of transistors, and in some embodiments, one or more of the gate-strips over the p-type pick-up region 255 p are active gates of transistors. In FIG. 2, the gate-strips (e.g., 271 n, 273 n, 275 n, and 277 n) intersecting the n-type pick-up region 255 n are floating without connecting to a power rail (e.g., 232), and in some embodiments, the gate-strips (e.g., 271 p, 2′73 p, 2′75 p, and 277 p) intersecting the p-type pick-up region 255 p are floating without connecting to a power rail (e.g., 234). In some alternative embodiments, one or more of the gate-strips (e.g., 271 n, 273 n, 275 n, and 277 n) intersecting the n-type pick-up region 255 n are conductively connected to the power rail 232. In some embodiments, one or more of the gate-strips (e.g., 271 p, 2′73 p, 2′75 p, and 277 p) intersecting the p-type pick-up region 255 p are conductively connected to the power rail 234.

In FIG. 2, the cell 200 includes a p-type active zone 250 p extending in the X-direction and an n-type active zone 250 n extending in the Y-direction. In some embodiments, one or more p-type fin structures 252 p are formed in the p-type active zone 250 p, and in some embodiments, one or more n-type fin structures 252 n are formed in the n-type active zone 250 n. In some embodiments, the number of p-type fin structures 252 p in the p-type active zone 250 p is equal to the number of n-type fin structures 252 n in the n-type active zone 250 n. For example, two p-type fin structures 252 p are in the p-type active zone 250 p and two n-type fin structures 252 n are in the n-type active zone 250 n. In some embodiments, the number of p-type fin structures 252 p in the p-type active zone 250 p is different from the number of n-type fin structures 252 n in the n-type active zone 250 n. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, two p-type fin structures 252 p are in the p-type active zone 250 p, but three n-type fin structures 252 n are in the n-type active zone 250 n.

In FIG. 2, the cell 200 includes a circuit 290 having fin transistors in the p-type active zone 250 p and fin transistors in the n-type active zone 250 n. In some embodiments, the cell 200 is an analog cell constructed based on the circuit 290. In some embodiments, the fin transistors in the p-type active zone 250 p have channel regions formed under the gate-strips (e.g., 241 p, 243 p, 245 p, and 247 p) intersecting the p-type fin structures 252 p, and in some embodiments, the gate-strips 241 p and 24′7 p are dummy gates. In some embodiments, the fin transistors in the n-type active zone 250 n have channel regions formed under the gate-strips (e.g., 241 n, 243 n, 245 n, and 247 n) intersecting the n-type fin structures 252 n, and in some embodiments, the gate-strips 241 n and 247 n are dummy gates. In some embodiments, each of the fin transistors in the p-type active zone 250 p has a source or a drain conductively connected to one of the conductive segments (e.g., 262 p, 264 p, and 266 p) intersecting the p-type fin structures 252 p and each of the fin transistors in the n-type active zone 250 n has a source or a drain conductively connected to one of the conductive segments (e.g., 262 n, 264 n, and 266 n) intersecting the n-type fin structures 252 n. In the circuit 290, the fin transistors in the p-type active zone 250 p and the fin transistors in the n-type active zone 250 n are connected to various electronic components by conductive connections in one or more routing metal layers.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a cell 300 having one stacked pick-up region in the n-type well, in accordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 3A, the cell 300 is between two parallel power rails (e.g., 332 and 334) extending in the X-direction and bounded by two parallel cell boundaries (e.g., 392 and 394) extending in the Y-direction. The power rail 332 is configured to have a first supply voltage VDD, and the power rail 334 is configured to have a second supply voltage VSS. The first supply voltage VDD on the power rail 332 is higher than the second supply voltage VSS on the power rail 334. The cell 300 includes a p-type active zone 350 p and an n-type active zone 350 n extending in the X-direction. The p-type active zone 350 p is in an n-type well 358 n, and the n-type active zone 350 n is in a p-type well 358 p. The n-type well 358 n and the p-type well 358 p are separated by a well boundary 359. The n-type well 358 n occupies at least the area bounded by the cell boundary 392, the well boundary 359, the cell boundaries 394, and the power rail 332. The p-type well 358 p occupies at least the area bounded by the cell boundary 392, the well boundary 359, the cell boundaries 394, and the power rail 334.

The cell 300 includes an n-type pick-up region 355 n in the n-type well 358 n, which is configured to couple the n-type well 358 n to the first supply voltage VDD. In some embodiments, the cell 300 includes one or more conductive segments (e.g., 382 n, 384 n, and 386 n) extending in the Y− direction and over the n-type pick-up region 355 n. One or more of the conductive segments (e.g., 382 n, 384 n, and 386 n) over the n-type pick-up region 355 n conductively connect the n-type pick-up region 355 n to the power rail 332 through one or more via connections VIA1. In FIG. 3A, one or more of the gate-strips (e.g., 371 n, 373 n, 375 n, and 377 n) intersecting the n-type pick-up region 355 n are floating without connecting to a power rail (e.g., 332). In some alternative embodiments, the cell 300 includes gate-strips (e.g., 371 n, 373 n, 375 n, and 377 n) intersecting the n-type pick-up region 355 n.

In FIG. 3A, the cell 300 includes a circuit 390 having transistors in the p-type active zone 350 p and transistors in the n-type active zone 350 n. In some embodiments, the cell 300 is an analog cell constructed based on the circuit 390. In some embodiments, the transistors in the p-type active zone 350 p have channel regions formed under the gate-strips (e.g., 341 p, 343 p, 345 p, and 347 p) intersecting the p-type active zone 350 p, and in some embodiments, the gate-strips 341 p and 34′7 p are dummy gates. In some embodiments, the transistors in the n-type active zone 350 n have channel regions formed under the gate-strips (e.g., 341 n, 343 n, 345 n, and 347 n) intersecting the n-type active zone 350 n, and in some embodiments, the gate-strips 341 n and 347 n are dummy gates. In some embodiments, each of the transistors in the p-type active zone 350 p has a source or a drain conductively connected to one of the conductive segments (e.g., 362 p, 364 p, and 366 p) intersecting the p-type active zone 350 p, and each of the transistors in the n-type active zone 350 n has a source or a drain conductively connected to one of the conductive segments (e.g., 362 n, 364 n, and 366 n) intersecting the n-type active zone 350 n. In the circuit 390, the transistors in the p-type active zone 350 p and the transistors in the n-type active zone 350 n are connected to various electronic components by conductive connections in one or more routing metal layers overlying both the conductive segments (e.g., 362 p, 364 p, and 366 p) intersecting the p-type active zone 350 p and the conductive segments (e.g., 362 n, 364 n, and 366 n) intersecting the n-type active zone 350 n.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the cell 300 along a cut-off plan S-S′ in FIG. 3A, in accordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 3B, the n-type well 358 n is implemented in a p-type substrate 20, the p-type well 358 p is provided by a portion of the p-type substrate 20. In FIG. 3B, the p-type active zone 350 p and the n-type active zone 350 n, in regions near the cut-off plan S-S′, are correspondingly provide by p+ diffusion and n+ diffusion. The n-type pick-up region 355 n for the upper power pick-up is provide by n+ diffusion. The n-type carrier density in the n-type pick-up region 355 n is higher than the n-type carrier density in the n-type well 358 n. The well boundary 359 separates the n-type well 358 n from the p-type well 358 p. In FIG. 3B, the n-type pick-up region 355 n is conductively connected to the power rail 332 through a via connection VIA1. In operation, because the n-type pick-up region 355 n is maintained at the first supply voltage VDD provided by the power rail 332, the n-type well 358 n surrounding the p-type active zone 350 p is maintained at the first supply voltage VDD. During normal operation, because the voltage in the p-type active zone 350 p is lower than the first supply voltage VDD at the n-type well 358 n, leakage currents will not be caused by forward-biased pn junctions between the p-type active zone 350 p and the n-type well 358 n, and latch-up involving the p-type active zone 350 p is prevented.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of a cell 400 having one stacked pick-up region in the p-type well, in accordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 4A, the cell 400 is between two parallel power rails (e.g., 432 and 434) extending in the X-direction and bounded by two parallel cell boundaries (e.g., 492 and 494) extending in the Y-direction. The power rail 432 is configured to have a first supply voltage VDD, and the power rail 434 is configured to have a second supply voltage VSS. The first supply voltage VDD on the power rail 432 is higher than the second supply voltage VSS on the power rail 434. The cell 400 includes a p-type active zone 450 p and an n-type active zone 450 n extending in the X-direction. The p-type active zone 450 p is in an n-type well 458 n, and the n-type active zone 450 n is in a p-type well 458 p. The n-type well 458 n and the p-type well 458 p are separated by a well boundary 459. The n-type well 458 n occupies at least the area bounded by the cell boundary 492, the well boundary 459, the cell boundaries 494, and the power rail 432. The p-type well 458 p occupies at least the area bounded by the cell boundary 492, the well boundary 459, the cell boundaries 494, and the power rail 434.

The cell 400 includes a p-type pick-up region 455 p in the p-type well 458 p, which is configured to couple the p-type well 458 p to the second supply voltage VSS. The cell 400 includes one or more conductive segments (e.g., 482 p, 484 p, and 486 p) extending in the Y-direction and over the p-type pick-up region 455 p. One or more of the conductive segments (e.g., 482 p, 484 p, and 486 p) over the p-type pick-up region 455 p conductively connect the p-type pick-up region 455 p with the power rail 434 through one or more via connections VIA2. The cell 400 includes gate-strips (e.g., 471 p, 4′73 p, 475 p, and 477 p) intersecting the p-type pick-up region 455 p. One or more of the gate-strips (e.g., 4′71 p, 4′73 p, 475 p, and 477 p) intersecting the p-type pick-up region 455 p are floating without connecting to a power rail (e.g., 434). In some alternative embodiments, one or more of the gate-strips (e.g., 471 p, 4′73 p, 4′75 p, and 477 p) intersecting the p-type pick-up region 455 p are conductively connected to the power rail 434.

In FIG. 4A, the cell 400 includes a circuit 490 having transistors in the p-type active zone 450 p and transistors in the n-type active zone 450 n. In some embodiments, the cell 400 is an analog cell constructed based on the circuit 490. In some embodiments, the transistors in the p-type active zone 450 p have channel regions formed under the gate-strips (e.g., 441 p, 443 p, 445 p, and 447 p) intersecting the p-type active zone 450 p, and in some embodiments, the gate-strips 441 p and 44′7 p are dummy gates. In some embodiments, the transistors in the n-type active zone 450 n have channel regions formed under the gate-strips (e.g., 441 n, 443 n, 445 n, and 447 n) intersecting the n-type active zone 450 n, and in some embodiments, the gate-strips 441 n and 447 n are dummy gates. In some embodiments, each of the transistors in the p-type active zone 450 p has a source or a drain conductively connected to one of the conductive segments (e.g., 462 p, 464 p, and 466 p) intersecting the p-type active zone 450 p, and each of the transistors in the n-type active zone 450 n has a source or a drain conductively connected to one of the conductive segments (e.g., 462 n, 464 n, and 466 n) intersecting the n-type active zone 450 n. In the circuit 490, the transistors in the p-type active zone 450 p and the transistors in the n-type active zone 450 n are connected to various electronic components by conductive connections in one or more routing metal layers overlying both the conductive segments (e.g., 462 p, 464 p, and 466 p) intersecting the p-type active zone 450 p and the conductive segments (e.g., 462 n, 464 n, and 466 n) intersecting the n-type active zone 450 n.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the cell 400 along a cut-off plan S-S′ in FIG. 4A, in accordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 4B, the n-type well 458 n is implemented in a p-type substrate 20, the p-type well 458 p is provided by a portion of the p-type substrate 20. The p-type active zone 450 p and the n-type active zone 450 n, in regions near the cut-off plan S-S′, are correspondingly provide by p+ diffusion and n+ diffusion. The p-type pick-up region 455 p for the lower power pick-up is provide by p+ diffusion. The p-type carrier density in the p-type pick-up region 455 p is higher than the p-type carrier density in the p-type well 458 p. The well boundary 459 separates the n-type well 458 n from the p-type well 458 p. In FIG. 4B, the p-type pick-up region 455 p is conductively connected to the power rail 434 through a via connection VIA2. In operation, because the p-type pick-up region 455 p is maintained at the second supply voltage VSS provided by the power rail 434, the p-type well 458 p surrounding the n-type active zone 450 n is maintained at the second supply voltage VSS. During normal operation, because the voltage in the n-type active zone 450 n is higher than the second supply voltage VSS at the p-type well 458 p, leakage currents will not be caused by forward-biased pn junctions between the n-type active zone 450 n and the p-type well 458 p, and latch-up involving the n-type active zone 450 n is prevented.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a cell 500 having guard-rings as pick-up regions, in accordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 5, the cell 500 is between two parallel power rails (e.g., 532 and 534) extending in the X-direction and bounded by two parallel cell boundaries (e.g., 592 and 594) extending in the Y-direction. The power rail 532 is configured to have a first supply voltage VDD, and the power rail 534 is configured to have a second supply voltage VSS. The cell 500 includes an n-type well 558 n and a p-type well 558 p separated by a well boundary 559. The n-type well 558 n occupies at least the area bounded by the cell boundary 592, the well boundary 559, the cell boundaries 594, and the power rail 532. The p-type well 558 p occupies at least the area bounded by the cell boundary 592, the well boundary 559, the cell boundaries 594, and the power rail 534.

The cell 500 includes a guard-ring 555 n in the n-type well 558 n and a guard-ring 555 p in the p-type well 558 p. The guard-ring 555 n is configured to couple the n-type well 558 n to the first supply voltage VDD, and the guard-ring 555 p is configured to couple the p-type well 558 p to the second supply voltage VSS. One or more conductive segments (e.g., 582 n, 584 n, and 586 n) over a first side of the guard-ring 555 n conductively connect the guard-ring 555 n to the first supply voltage VDD on the power rail 532. One or more conductive segments (e.g., 582 p, 584 p, and 586 p) over a first side of the guard-ring 555 p conductively connect the guard-ring 555 p to the second supply voltage VSS on the power rail 534.

The cell 500 includes one or more conductive segments (e.g., 583 n, 585 n, and 587 n) over a second side of the guard-ring 555 n, and the cell 500 includes one or more conductive segments (e.g., 583 p, 585 p, and 58′7 p) over a second side of the guard-ring 555 p. The cell 500 includes one or more of the gate-strips (e.g., 571 n, 573 n, 575 n, and 577 n) over the first side of the guard-ring 555 n, and also includes one or more of the gate-strips (e.g., 572 n, 574 n, 576 n, and 578 n) over the second side of the guard-ring 555 n. The cell 500 includes one or more of the gate-strips (e.g., 571 p, 573 p, 575 p, and 57′7 p) over the first side of the guard-ring 555 p, and also includes one or more of the gate-strips (e.g., 572 p, 574 p, 576 p, and 578 p) over the second side of the guard-ring 555 p. The one or more the gate-strips (e.g., 571 n, 573 n, 575 n, and 577 n) over the first side of the guard-ring 555 n are either left floating or conductively connected to the first supply voltage VDD. The one or more gate-strips (e.g., 571 p, 573 p, 575 p, and 577 p) over the first side of the guard-ring 555 p are either left floating or conductively connected to the second supply voltage VSS.

In FIG. 5, the cell 500 includes a p-type active zone 550 p and an n-type active zone 550 n extending in the X-direction. The p-type active zone 550 p is in the n-type well 558 n, and the n-type active zone 550 n is in the p-type well 558 p. The cell 500 includes a circuit 590 that has transistors in the p-type active zone 550 p and transistors in the n-type active zone 550 n. In some embodiments, the cell 500 is an analog cell constructed based on the circuit 590. In some embodiments, the transistors in the p-type active zone 550 p have channel regions formed under the gate-strips (e.g., 541 p, 543 p, 545 p, and 547 p) intersecting the p-type active zone 550 p, and in some embodiments, the gate-strips 541 p and 54′7 p are dummy gates. In some embodiments, the transistors in the n-type active zone 550 n have channel regions formed under the gate-strips (e.g., 541 n, 543 n, 545 n, and 547 n) intersecting the n-type active zone 550 n, and in some embodiments, the gate-strips 541 n and 547 n are dummy gates. In some embodiments, each of the transistors in the p-type active zone 550 p has a source or a drain conductively connected to one of the conductive segments (e.g., 562 p, 564 p, and 566 p) intersecting the p-type active zone 550 p, and each of the transistors in the n-type active zone 550 n has a source or a drain conductively connected to one of the conductive segments (e.g., 562 n, 564 n, and 566 n) intersecting the n-type active zone 550 n. In the circuit 590, the transistors in the p-type active zone 550 p and the transistors in the n-type active zone 550 n are connected to various electronic components by conductive connections in one or more routing metal layers.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a cell 600 having stacked pick-up regions separating two parallel active zones, in accordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 6, the portion of the cell 600 includes a p-type active zone 650 p and an n-type active zone 650 n both extending in the X-direction. The two parallel active zones (e.g., 650 p and 650 n) are separated in the Y-direction by an n-type pick-up region 655 n and a p-type pick-up region 655 p. The p-type active zone 650 p is in an n-type well 658 n, and the n-type active zone 650 n is in a p-type well 658 p. The n-type well 658 n and the p-type well 658 p are separated by a well boundary 659.

The n-type pick-up region 655 n is configured to couple the n-type well 658 n to a first supply voltage VDD. The p-type pick-up region 655 p is configured to couple the p-type well 658 p to a second supply voltage VSS. The first supply voltage VDD is higher than the second supply voltage VSS. In some embodiments, one or more conductive segments (e.g., 682 n, 684 n, and 686 n) over the n-type pick-up region 655 n are connected to the first supply voltage VDD. In some embodiments, one or more conductive segments (e.g., 682 p, 684 p, and 686 p) over the p-type pick-up region 655 p are connected to the second supply voltage VSS. In some embodiments, the first supply voltage VDD and the second supply voltage VSS are provided by power rails extending in the X-direction in a first metal layer overlying the conductive segments. In some embodiments, the first supply voltage VDD and the second supply voltage VSS are provided by power rails extending in the Y-direction in a second metal layer overlying both the first metal layer and the conductive segments. In some embodiments, the portion of the cell 600 includes one or more of the gate-strips (e.g., 671 n, 673 n, 675 n, and 677 n), over the n-type pick-up region 655 n, that are either left floating or connected to the first supply voltage VDD. In some embodiments, the portion of the cell 600 includes one or more of the gate-strips (e.g., 671 p, 6′73 p, 675 n, and 677 p), over the p-type pick-up region 655 p, that are either left floating or connected to the second supply voltage VSS.

In some embodiments, the portion of the cell 600 includes the transistors in the p-type active zone 650 p and transistors in the n-type active zone 650 n configured to form a circuit 690. In some embodiments, the cell 600 is an analog cell constructed based on the circuit 690. The transistors in the p-type active zone 650 p have channel regions under the gate-strips (e.g., 641 p, 643 p, 645 p, and 647 p) intersecting the p-type active zone 650 p. The transistors in the n-type active zone 650 n have channel regions under the gate-strips (e.g., 641 n, 643 n, 645 n, and 647 n) intersecting the n-type active zone 650. In some embodiments, the gate-strips 641 p and 64′7 p are dummy gates, and in some embodiments, the gate-strips 641 n and 647 n are dummy gates. In some embodiments, each of the transistors in the p-type active zone 650 p has a source or a drain conductively connected to one of the conductive segments (e.g., 662 p, 664 p, and 666 p) intersecting the p-type active zone 650 p, and each of the transistors in the n-type active zone 650 n has a source or a drain conductively connected to one of the conductive segments (e.g., 662 n, 664 n, and 666 n) intersecting the n-type active zone 650 n. In the circuit 690, the transistors in the p-type active zone 650 p and the transistors in the n-type active zone 650 n are connected to various electronic components by conductive connections in one or more routing metal layers.

In the embodiments of FIG. 1B, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 4B, the n-type well is formed in a p-type substrate, the p-type well is a portion of the p-type substrate. In some alternative embodiments, the p-type well is formed in an n-type substrate, the n-type well is a portion of the n-type substrate. In still some alternative embodiments, both the n-type well and the p-type well are formed in an insulator substrate.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electronic design automation (EDA) system 700 in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, EDA system 700 includes an APR system. Methods described herein of designing layout diagrams represent wire routing arrangements, in accordance with one or more embodiments, are implementable, for example, using EDA system 700, in accordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, EDA system 700 is a general purpose computing device including a hardware processor 702 and a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium 704. Storage medium 704, amongst other things, is encoded with, i.e., stores, computer program code 706, i.e., a set of executable instructions. Execution of instructions 706 by hardware processor 702 represents (at least in part) an EDA tool which implements a portion or all of, e.g., the methods described herein in accordance with one or more embodiments (hereinafter, the noted processes and/or methods).

Processor 702 is electrically coupled to computer-readable storage medium 704 via a bus 708. Processor 702 is also electrically coupled to an I/O interface 710 by bus 708. A network interface 712 is also electrically connected to processor 702 via bus 708. Network interface 712 is connected to a network 714, so that processor 702 and computer-readable storage medium 704 are capable of connecting to external elements via network 714. Processor 702 is configured to execute computer program code 706 encoded in computer-readable storage medium 704 in order to cause system 700 to be usable for performing a portion or all of the noted processes and/or methods. In one or more embodiments, processor 702 is a central processing unit (CPU), a multi-processor, a distributed processing system, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and/or a suitable processing unit.

In one or more embodiments, computer-readable storage medium 704 is an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, and/or a semiconductor system (or apparatus or device). For example, computer-readable storage medium 704 includes a semiconductor or solid-state memory, a magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk, and/or an optical disk. In one or more embodiments using optical disks, computer-readable storage medium 704 includes a compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), a compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W), and/or a digital video disc (DVD).

In one or more embodiments, storage medium 704 stores computer program code 706 configured to cause system 700 (where such execution represents (at least in part) the EDA tool) to be usable for performing a portion or all of the noted processes and/or methods. In one or more embodiments, storage medium 704 also stores information which facilitates performing a portion or all of the noted processes and/or methods. In one or more embodiments, storage medium 704 stores library 707 of standard cells including such standard cells as disclosed herein.

EDA system 700 includes I/O interface 710. I/O interface 710 is coupled to external circuitry. In one or more embodiments, I/O interface 710 includes a keyboard, keypad, mouse, trackball, trackpad, touchscreen, and/or cursor direction keys for communicating information and commands to processor 702.

EDA system 700 also includes network interface 712 coupled to processor 702. Network interface 712 allows system 700 to communicate with network 714, to which one or more other computer systems are connected. Network interface 712 includes wireless network interfaces such as BLUETOOTH, WIFI, WIMAX, GPRS, or WCDMA; or wired network interfaces such as ETHERNET, USB, or IEEE-1364. In one or more embodiments, a portion or all of noted processes and/or methods, is implemented in two or more systems 700.

System 700 is configured to receive information through I/O interface 710. The information received through I/O interface 710 includes one or more of instructions, data, design rules, libraries of standard cells, and/or other parameters for processing by processor 702. The information is transferred to processor 702 via bus 708. EDA system 700 is configured to receive information related to a UI through I/O interface 710. The information is stored in computer-readable medium 704 as user interface (UI) 742.

In some embodiments, a portion or all of the noted processes and/or methods is implemented as a standalone software application for execution by a processor. In some embodiments, a portion or all of the noted processes and/or methods is implemented as a software application that is a part of an additional software application. In some embodiments, a portion or all of the noted processes and/or methods is implemented as a plug-in to a software application. In some embodiments, at least one of the noted processes and/or methods is implemented as a software application that is a portion of an EDA tool. In some embodiments, a portion or all of the noted processes and/or methods is implemented as a software application that is used by EDA system 700. In some embodiments, a layout diagram which includes standard cells is generated using a tool such as VIRTUOSO® available from CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, Inc., or another suitable layout generating tool.

In some embodiments, the processes are realized as functions of a program stored in a non-transitory computer readable recording medium. Examples of a non-transitory computer readable recording medium include, but are not limited to, external/removable and/or internal/built-in storage or memory unit, e.g., one or more of an optical disk, such as a DVD, a magnetic disk, such as a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, such as a ROM, a RAM, a memory card, and the like.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing system 800, and an IC manufacturing flow associated therewith, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, based on a layout diagram, at least one of (A) one or more semiconductor masks or (B) at least one component in a layer of a semiconductor integrated circuit is fabricated using manufacturing system 800.

In FIG. 8, IC manufacturing system 800 includes entities, such as a design house 820, a mask house 830, and an IC manufacturer/fabricator (“fab”) 850, that interact with one another in the design, development, and manufacturing cycles and/or services related to manufacturing an IC device 860. The entities in system 800 are connected by a communications network. In some embodiments, the communications network is a single network. In some embodiments, the communications network is a variety of different networks, such as an intranet and the Internet. The communications network includes wired and/or wireless communication channels. Each entity interacts with one or more of the other entities and provides services to and/or receives services from one or more of the other entities. In some embodiments, two or more of design house 820, mask house 830, and IC fab 850 is owned by a single larger company. In some embodiments, two or more of design house 820, mask house 830, and IC fab 850 coexist in a common facility and use common resources.

Design house (or design team) 820 generates an IC design layout diagram 822. IC design layout diagram 822 includes various geometrical patterns designed for an IC device 860. The geometrical patterns correspond to patterns of metal, oxide, or semiconductor layers that make up the various components of IC device 860 to be fabricated. The various layers combine to form various IC features. For example, a portion of IC design layout diagram 822 includes various IC features, such as an active region, gate electrode, source and drain, metal lines or vias of an interlayer interconnection, and openings for bonding pads, to be formed in a semiconductor substrate (such as a silicon wafer) and various material layers disposed on the semiconductor substrate. Design house 820 implements a proper design procedure to form IC design layout diagram 822. The design procedure includes one or more of logic design, physical design or place and route. IC design layout diagram 822 is presented in one or more data files having information of the geometrical patterns. For example, IC design layout diagram 822 can be expressed in a GDSII file format or DFII file format.

Mask house 830 includes data preparation 832 and mask fabrication 844. Mask house 830 uses IC design layout diagram 822 to manufacture one or more masks 845 to be used for fabricating the various layers of IC device 860 according to IC design layout diagram 822. Mask house 830 performs mask data preparation 832, where IC design layout diagram 822 is translated into a representative data file (“RDF”). Mask data preparation 832 provides the RDF to mask fabrication 844. Mask fabrication 844 includes a mask writer. A mask writer converts the RDF to an image on a substrate, such as a mask (reticle) 845 or a semiconductor wafer 853. The design layout diagram 822 is manipulated by mask data preparation 832 to comply with particular characteristics of the mask writer and/or requirements of IC fab 850. In FIG. 8, mask data preparation 832 and mask fabrication 844 are illustrated as separate elements. In some embodiments, mask data preparation 832 and mask fabrication 844 can be collectively referred to as mask data preparation.

In some embodiments, mask data preparation 832 includes optical proximity correction (OPC) which uses lithography enhancement techniques to compensate for image errors, such as those that can arise from diffraction, interference, other process effects and the like. OPC adjusts IC design layout diagram 822. In some embodiments, mask data preparation 832 includes further resolution enhancement techniques (RET), such as off-axis illumination, sub-resolution assist features, phase-shifting masks, other suitable techniques, and the like or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, inverse lithography technology (ILT) is also used, which treats OPC as an inverse imaging problem.

In some embodiments, mask data preparation 832 includes a mask rule checker (MRC) that checks the IC design layout diagram 822 that has undergone processes in OPC with a set of mask creation rules which contain certain geometric and/or connectivity restrictions to ensure sufficient margins, to account for variability in semiconductor manufacturing processes, and the like. In some embodiments, the MRC modifies the IC design layout diagram 822 to compensate for limitations during mask fabrication 844, which may undo part of the modifications performed by OPC in order to meet mask creation rules.

In some embodiments, mask data preparation 832 includes lithography process checking (LPC) that simulates processing that will be implemented by IC fab 850 to fabricate IC device 860. LPC simulates this processing based on IC design layout diagram 822 to create a simulated manufactured device, such as IC device 860. The processing parameters in LPC simulation can include parameters associated with various processes of the IC manufacturing cycle, parameters associated with tools used for manufacturing the IC, and/or other aspects of the manufacturing process. LPC takes into account various factors, such as aerial image contrast, depth of focus (“DOF”), mask error enhancement factor (“MEEF”), other suitable factors, and the like or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, after a simulated manufactured device has been created by LPC, if the simulated device is not close enough in shape to satisfy design rules, OPC and/or MRC are be repeated to further refine IC design layout diagram 822.

It should be understood that the above description of mask data preparation 832 has been simplified for the purposes of clarity. In some embodiments, data preparation 832 includes additional features such as a logic operation (LOP) to modify the IC design layout diagram 822 according to manufacturing rules. Additionally, the processes applied to IC design layout diagram 822 during data preparation 832 may be executed in a variety of different orders.

After mask data preparation 832 and during mask fabrication 844, a mask 845 or a group of masks 845 are fabricated based on the modified IC design layout diagram 822. In some embodiments, mask fabrication 844 includes performing one or more lithographic exposures based on IC design layout diagram 822. In some embodiments, an electron-beam (e-beam) or a mechanism of multiple e-beams is used to form a pattern on a mask (photomask or reticle) 845 based on the modified IC design layout diagram 822. Mask 845 can be formed in various technologies. In some embodiments, mask 845 is formed using binary technology. In some embodiments, a mask pattern includes opaque regions and transparent regions. A radiation beam, such as an ultraviolet (UV) beam, used to expose the image sensitive material layer (e.g., photoresist) which has been coated on a wafer, is blocked by the opaque region and transmits through the transparent regions. In one example, a binary mask version of mask 845 includes a transparent substrate (e.g., fused quartz) and an opaque material (e.g., chromium) coated in the opaque regions of the binary mask. In another example, mask 845 is formed using a phase shift technology. In a phase shift mask (PSM) version of mask 845, various features in the pattern formed on the phase shift mask are configured to have proper phase difference to enhance the resolution and imaging quality. In various examples, the phase shift mask can be attenuated PSM or alternating PSM. The mask(s) generated by mask fabrication 844 is used in a variety of processes. For example, such a mask(s) is used in an ion implantation process to form various doped regions in semiconductor wafer 853, in an etching process to form various etching regions in semiconductor wafer 853, and/or in other suitable processes.

IC fab 850 includes wafer fabrication 852. IC fab 850 is an IC fabrication business that includes one or more manufacturing facilities for the fabrication of a variety of different IC products. In some embodiments, IC Fab 850 is a semiconductor foundry. For example, there may be a manufacturing facility for the front end fabrication of a plurality of IC products (front-end-of-line (FEOL) fabrication), while a second manufacturing facility may provide the back end fabrication for the interconnection and packaging of the IC products (back-end-of-line (BEOL) fabrication), and a third manufacturing facility may provide other services for the foundry business.

IC fab 850 uses mask(s) 845 fabricated by mask house 830 to fabricate IC device 860. Thus, IC fab 850 at least indirectly uses IC design layout diagram 822 to fabricate IC device 860. In some embodiments, semiconductor wafer 853 is fabricated by IC fab 850 using mask(s) 845 to form IC device 860. In some embodiments, the IC fabrication includes performing one or more lithographic exposures based at least indirectly on IC design layout diagram 822. Semiconductor wafer 853 includes a silicon substrate or other proper substrate having material layers formed thereon. Semiconductor wafer 853 further includes one or more of various doped regions, dielectric features, multilevel interconnects, and the like (formed at subsequent manufacturing steps).

Details regarding an integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing system (e.g., system 800 of FIG. 8), and an IC manufacturing flow associated therewith are found, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 9,256,709, granted Feb. 9, 2016, U.S. Pre-Grant Publication No. 20150278429, published Oct. 1, 2015, U.S. Pre-Grant Publication No. 20140040838, published Feb. 6, 2014, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,260,442, granted Aug. 21, 2007, the entireties of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

One aspect of this description relates to a method. The method includes forming a first well of a first-type in a substrate of a second-type, forming a first active zone of the first-type in a second well of the second-type on the substrate while the first active zone extends in a first direction, and forming a second active zone of the second-type in the first-type well while the second active zone extends in the first direction. The method also includes forming a first pick-up region of the first-type located in the first well, and forming a second pick-up region of the second-type located in the second well. The first pick-up region and the second pick-up region are separated from each other, by the first active zone and the second active zone, along a direction that is different from the first direction.

Another aspect of this description relates to a method of forming a semiconductor device. The method includes forming two parallel active zones extending in a first direction that includes a p-type active zone located in an n-type well and an n-type active zone located in a p-type well. Each of the p-type active zone and the n-type active zone includes a channel region between a source or a drain aligned along the first direction. The p-type active zone having channel regions is separated from the n-type active zone having channel regions along a second direction that is different from the first direction. The method also includes forming an n-type pick-up region located in the n-type well, and forming a p-type pick-up region located in the p-type well. The n-type pick-up region and the p-type pick-up region are separated from each other along the second direction. The method also includes forming a first power rail extending in the first direction and conductively connected with the n-type pick-up region, and forming a second power rail extending in the first direction and conductively connected with the p-type pick-up region. The p-type active zone is between the first power rail and the n-type active zone and separates the first power rail from the n-type active zone, and the n-type active zone is between the second power rail from the p-type active zone and separates the second power rail from the p-type active zone. The method further includes forming a first conductive segment extending in the second direction and in direct conductive contact with the n-type pick-up region, and forming a first via connection connected between the first power rail and the first conductive segment. The method further includes forming a second conductive segment extending in the second direction and in conductive contact with the p-type pick-up region, and forming a second via connection connected between the second power rail and the second conductive segment.

Still another aspect of this description relates to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program code. The computer program code is configured to cause a system having at least one processor to execute generating layout patterns specifying two parallel active zones extending in a first direction that includes a first-type active zone in a second-type well and a second-type active zone in a first-type well. Each of the first-type active zone and the second-type active zone includes a channel region between a source or a drain aligned along the first direction. The first-type active zone having channel regions is separated from the second-type active zone having channel regions along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The computer program code is also configured to execute generating layout patterns specifying generating layout patterns specifying a first power rail extending in the first direction and configured to have a first voltage. The first-type active zone is between the first power rail and the second-type active zone and separates the first power rail from the second-type active zone. The computer program code is also configured to execute generating layout patterns specifying a second power rail extending in the first direction and configured to have a second voltage. The second-type active zone is between the second power rail from the first-type active zone and separates the second power rail from the first-type active zone. The computer program code is further configured to execute generating layout patterns specifying two parallel cell boundaries extending in the second direction, and generating layout patterns specifying a first-type pick-up region in the first-type well and between the two parallel cell boundaries, conductively connected with the first power rail. The computer program code is further configured to execute generating layout patterns specifying a first conductive segment extending in the second direction and in conductive contact with the first-type pick-up region, and generating layout patterns specifying a first via connection connected between the first power rail and the first conductive segment. The first-type pick-up region is separated from the two parallel active zones along a direction that is different from the first direction.

It will be readily seen by one of ordinary skill in the art that one or more of the disclosed embodiments fulfill one or more of the advantages set forth above. After reading the foregoing specification, one of ordinary skill will be able to affect various changes, substitutions of equivalents and various other embodiments as broadly disclosed herein. It is therefore intended that the protection granted hereon be limited only by the definition contained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: forming a first well of a first-type in a substrate of a second-type; forming a first active zone of the first-type, in a second well of the second-type on the substrate, extending in a first direction; forming a second active zone of the second-type in the first-type well, extending in the first direction; forming a first pick-up region of the first-type located in the first well; and forming a second pick-up region of the second-type located in the second well; wherein the first pick-up region and the second pick-up region are separated from each other, by the first active zone and the second active zone, along a direction that is different from the first direction.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the first well of the first-type in the substrate of the second-type comprises: forming the first well of an n-type in the substrate of a p-type.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the first well of the first-type in the substrate of the second-type comprises: forming the first well of a p-type in the substrate of an n-type.
 4. A method of forming a semiconductor device comprising: forming two parallel active zones extending in a first direction that includes a p-type active zone located in an n-type well and an n-type active zone located in a p-type well, wherein each of the p-type active zone and the n-type active zone includes a channel region between a source or a drain aligned along the first direction, and wherein the p-type active zone having channel regions is separated from the n-type active zone having channel regions along a second direction that is different from the first direction; forming an n-type pick-up region located in the n-type well; forming a p-type pick-up region located in the p-type well, wherein the n-type pick-up region and the p-type pick-up region are separated from each other along the second direction; forming a first power rail extending in the first direction and conductively connected with the n-type pick-up region, and wherein the p-type active zone is between the first power rail and the n-type active zone and separates the first power rail from the n-type active zone; forming a first conductive segment extending in the second direction and in direct conductive contact with the n-type pick-up region; forming a first via connection connected between the first power rail and the first conductive segment; forming a second power rail extending in the first direction and conductively connected with the p-type pick-up region, and wherein the n-type active zone is between the second power rail from the p-type active zone and separates the second power rail from the p-type active zone; forming a second conductive segment extending in the second direction and in conductive contact with the p-type pick-up region; and forming a second via connection connected between the second power rail and the second conductive segment.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein comprising: forming the n-type pick-up region between the first power rail and the p-type active zone, wherein the n-type pick-up region separates the first power rail from the p-type active zone.
 6. The method of claim 4, comprising: forming the p-type pick-up region between the second power rail and the n-type active zone, wherein the p-type pick-up region separates the second power rail from the n-type active zone.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the n-type pick-up region is separated from the p-type pick-up region by the two parallel active zones.
 8. The method of claim 4, comprising: forming the two parallel active zones that are separated by the n-type pick-up region and the p-type pick-up region.
 9. The method of claim 4, comprising: forming the n-type pick-up region with an n-type carrier density that is higher than the n-type carrier density in the n-type well; and forming the p-type pick-up region with a p-type carrier density that is higher than the p-type carrier density in the p-type well.
 10. The method of claim 4, comprising: forming the n-type pick-up region having a height which is less than 25% of a width of the p-type pick-up region.
 11. The method of claim 4, comprising: forming the p-type pick-up region having a height which is less than 25% of a width of the p-type pick-up region.
 12. The method of claim 4, comprising: forming the p-type well as a part of a p-type substrate; and forming the n-type well in the p-type substrate.
 13. The method of claim 4, wherein forming the n-type well as a part of a n-type substrate; and forming the p-type well in the n-type substrate.
 14. The method of claim 4, further comprising: forming transistors for an analog cell in the p-type active zone and the n-type active zone.
 15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program code configured to cause a system having at least one processor to execute: generating layout patterns specifying two parallel active zones extending in a first direction that includes a first-type active zone in a second-type well and a second-type active zone in a first-type well, wherein each of the first-type active zone and the second-type active zone includes a channel region between a source or a drain aligned along the first direction, and wherein the first-type active zone having channel regions is separated from the second-type active zone having channel regions along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction; generating layout patterns specifying a first power rail extending in the first direction and configured to have a first voltage, and wherein the first-type active zone is between the first power rail and the second-type active zone and separates the first power rail from the second-type active zone; generating layout patterns specifying a second power rail extending in the first direction and configured to have a second voltage, and wherein the second-type active zone is between the second power rail from the first-type active zone and separates the second power rail from the first-type active zone; generating layout patterns specifying two parallel cell boundaries extending in the second direction; generating layout patterns specifying a first-type pick-up region, in the first-type well and between the two parallel cell boundaries, conductively connected with the first power rail; generating layout patterns specifying a first conductive segment extending in the second direction and in conductive contact with the first-type pick-up region; and generating layout patterns specifying a first via connection connected between the first power rail and the first conductive segment; wherein the first-type pick-up region is separated from the two parallel active zones along a direction that is different from the first direction.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the computer program code is further configured to cause the system having at least one processor to execute: generating layout patterns specifying a second-type pick-up region, in the second-type well and between the two parallel cell boundaries, conductively connected to the second power rail; generating layout patterns specifying a second conductive segment extending in the second direction and in conductive contact with the second-type pick-up region; and generating layout patterns specifying a second via connection connected between the second power rail and the second conductive segment.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the computer program code is further configured to cause the system having at least one processor to execute: generating layout patterns specifying the two parallel active zones which separates the first-type pick-up region from the second-type pick-up region along the second direction.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the computer program code is further configured to cause the system having at least one processor to execute: generating layout patterns specifying the first-type well as an n-type well; and generating layout patterns specifying the second-type well as a p-type well.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the computer program code is further configured to cause the system having at least one processor to execute: generating layout patterns specifying the first-type well as a p-type well; and generating layout patterns specifying the second-type well as an n-type well.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the computer program code is further configured to cause the system having at least one processor to execute: generating layout patterns specifying an analog cell including a circuit having transistors in the first-type active zone and the second-type active zone. 